Reciprocal device having sensing feature

ABSTRACT

A reciprocal device for exercise machines includes a base having a plurality of positioning rods and stop members on a top surface thereof and each positioning rod has a spring mounted thereto. A movable member has a plurality of sockets which are mounted to the springs and the positioning rods. A cover is mounted to the movable member. The base and the movable member each have a sensing rod and the two sensing rods are located in alignment with each other so that when the movable member is stepped downward, the two sensing rods contact and send a signal to allow the exercise machine to proceed a function.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a reciprocal device that has twosensing rods on two parts which are moved relative to each other, thetwo sensing rods contact with each other when one part is moved towardthe other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] A conventional stepping exercise machine or climbing exerciserhas two pedals that are pivotably connected to the base of the exercisemachine and moved up and down by the user. The pedals can be bouncedback and the user steps them down to exercise the muscle of legs. Theresistance of the pedals is provided by hydraulic cylinders. An inherentshortcoming of the conventional exercise machine is that the hydrauliccylinders are heavy and expensive. The hydraulic cylinders need to bemaintained frequently to ensure no leakage is found. Besides, a spacebetween the pedals and the top surface of the base could be a dangerousspace because children could insert their hands or legs in the space andare injured by the down movement of the pedals.

[0003] The present invention intends to provide a reciprocal device foran exercise machine and springs are connected between the two parts ofthe device. Two sensing rods are connected to the two parts and contactwith each other to send a signal to perform a pre-set function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a reciprocal device for exercise machines and the devicecomprises a base having a plurality of positioning rods and stop memberson a top surface thereof and each positioning rod has a spring mountedthereto. The base has a first sensing rod extending from the top surfacethereof. A movable member has a plurality of sockets which are mountedto the springs and the positioning rods. A second sensing rod extendsfrom the underside of the movable member. The first sensing rod and thesecond sensing rod are located in alignment with each other. A cover ismounted to the movable member.

[0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide areciprocal device that uses springs or resilient members to let themovable members be operated reciprocatingly.

[0006] The present invention will become more obvious from the followingdescription when taken in connection with the accompanying drawingswhich show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment inaccordance with the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007]FIG. 1 is an exploded view to show the reciprocal device of thepresent invention;

[0008]FIG. 2 is a perspective view to show the reciprocal device of thepresent invention;

[0009]FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view to show the reciprocal device ofthe present invention;

[0010]FIG. 4 shows that the movable member is stepped downward andstopped by the stop members;

[0011]FIG. 5 shows the device has an enclosing type cover;

[0012]FIG. 6 shows the stop members have buffer piece on a top thereof;

[0013]FIG. 7 shows the movable members are made in forms of pedal;

[0014]FIG. 8 shows the device is used on two stepped surfaces of adancing machine;

[0015]FIG. 9 shows the device includes two sets of sensing rods;

[0016]FIG. 10 is another embodiment of the device of the presentinvention;

[0017]FIG. 11 shows the movable member in the device shown in FIG. 10 isstepped downward, and FIG. 12 shows the perspective view of the deviceshown in FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the reciprocal device for exercisemachines of the present invention comprises a base 2 having fourpositioning rods 22 and two stop members 21 on a top surface thereof andeach positioning rod 22 has a spring 23 mounted thereto. The base 2having a first sensing rod 52 extending from the top surface thereof.

[0019] A movable member 3 has four sockets 31 extending from anunderside thereof and the sockets 31 are mounted to the springs 23 andthe positioning rods 22. A second sensing rod 51 extends from theunderside of the movable member 3. The first sensing rod 52 and thesecond sensing rod 51 are located in alignment with each other. Themovable member 3 has a protrusion portion on a center of the topthereof.

[0020] A cover 4 is mounted to the movable member 3 and has an opening41 through which the movable member 3 is movably engaged. When the usersteps on the protrusion portion of the movable member 3, the movablemember 3 is stopped by the stop members 21 and the first sensing rod 52and the second sensing rod 51 contact with each other. A wire extendsfrom the first sensing rod 52 and the contact of the two sensing rods52, 51 sends a signal to a control unit (not shown) of the exercisemachine to perform a desired action. When releasing the downward forceon the movable member 3, the springs 23 bounce the movable member 3 toits original position.

[0021]FIG. 5 shows that the cover 4 is an enclosing type cover. FIG. 6shows that each stop member 21 has a buffer piece 211 which is soft andabsorbs impact force when the movable member 3 contacts the stop members21 so that the user feels soft and gentle when using the device. FIG. 7shows that the movable members 3 are made in forms of pedals. FIG. 8shows that the protrusion portion of the movable member 3 protrudesbeyond a surface of the cover 4 and can be used to two stepped surfacesof a dancing machine. FIG. 9 shows that each movable member 3 includestwo sets of sensing rods 51, 52 and each set of the sensing rods 51, 52controls the action of the ball of the foot and the heel of the foot ofthe user.

[0022] FIGS. 10 to 12 show another embodiment of the device wherein thebase 2 has four positioning rods 22 and stop members 21 on a top surfacethereof and each positioning rod 22 has a resilient member 231 mountedthereto. A sensing member 53 biased by a spring 54 which is fixed to thetop surface of the base 2.

[0023] A movable member 3 has a protrusion 32 extending from anunderside thereof and the protrusion 32 is located above the sensingmember 53. The resilient members 231 contact the underside of themovable member 3. A cover 4 is mounted to the movable member 3. When themovable member 3 is stepped by a user, the protrusion 32 is lowered totouch the sensing member 53 to send a signal to perform a pre-setfunction.

[0024] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordancewith the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in theart that further embodiments may be made without departing from thescope of the present invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A reciprocal device for exercise machines,comprising: a base having a plurality of positioning rods and stopmembers on a top surface thereof and each positioning rod having aspring mounted thereto, the base having a first sensing rod extendingfrom the top surface thereof; a movable member having a plurality ofsockets extending from an underside thereof and the sockets mounted tothe springs and the positioning rods, a second sensing rod extendingfrom the underside of the movable member, the first sensing rod and thesecond sensing rod being located in alignment with each other, and acover mounted to the movable member.
 2. The device as claimed in claim1, wherein the cover has an opening through which the movable member ismovably engaged.
 3. The device as claimed in claim 2, wherein themovable member has a protrusion portion which protrudes beyond a surfaceof the cover.
 4. A reciprocal device for exercise machines, comprising:a base having a plurality of positioning rods on a top surface thereofand each positioning rod having a resilient member mounted thereto, asensing member biased by a spring which is fixed to the top surface ofthe base; a movable member having a protrusion extending from anunderside thereof and the protrusion located above the sensing member,and a cover mounted to the movable member.